Viewer identification based on wireless device proximity

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of an associated wireless device to an access point. An association between a wireless device, user, display device, and a position of the wireless device relative to an access point may be created and stored at the access point. The access point may monitor the position of the wireless device, wherein the position is based on the strength of a signal received from the wireless device at one or more receivers. When the access point determines that a position of the wireless device is associated with a display device, the access point may identify the user of the wireless device as a potential viewer of the display device. Targeted advertisements and set-top box functionality may be configured based on the identification of a viewer of the display device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the identification of a viewer based on theproximity of a wireless device to an access point.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of targeted advertising and personalized delivery ofmultimedia services to a user, the ability to identify a multimediaconsumer has become even more important. Content and service providerscontinue to search for a simple yet accurate method for determining whois viewing a particular display device at a given time. Currently aviewer may be identified based on the content that is being delivered toa display device. For example, targeted advertising may be geared towardchildren when content associated with children is being delivered to thedisplay device. However, content type is not always an accuratemechanism for determining who is currently viewing a display device. Forexample, there are plenty of types of content that are gender and ageneutral.

Currently customer premise equipment (CPE) devices such as a set-top box(STB) may be configured to provide personalized interfaces, guides,and/or services based on the user that is currently accessing contentfrom the device. For example, certain features (e.g., parental control)and guide options (e.g., favorites list) may be enabled through a STBwhen the STB is informed as to who is currently accessing content fromthe STB. However, currently, a user must inform the STB of the user'sidentity in order to enable these personalized features, and it islikely that a user will access a STB without updating the identity ofthe current STB user. Therefore, it is desirable to improve upon methodsand systems for identifying a viewer of a display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example network environmentoperable to identify a viewer based upon the proximity of an associatedwireless device to an access point.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example access point operableto facilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity ofan associated wireless device to an access point.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example process operable tofacilitate the generation of a user profile, the profile including anassociation between wireless parameters and the location of a wirelessclient device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of anassociated wireless device to an access point.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the duration of anassociated wireless device's proximity to an access point.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example process operable tofacilitate an identification of viewer movement based upon the proximityof an associated wireless device to an access point.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example process operable tofacilitate a modification of media delivery settings based upon anidentification of a potential viewer of a display device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example process operable tofacilitate the delivery of targeted advertisement content to a displaydevice based upon an identification of a potential viewer of the displaydevice.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of anassociated wireless device to an access point.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is desirable to improve upon methods and systems for identifying aviewer of a display device. Methods, systems, and computer readablemedia can be operable to facilitate an identification of a viewer basedupon the proximity of an associated wireless device to an access point.An association between a wireless device, user, display device, and aposition of the wireless device relative to an access point may becreated and stored at the access point. The access point may monitor theposition of the wireless device, wherein the position is based on thestrength of a signal received from the wireless device at one or morereceivers. When the access point determines that a position of thewireless device is associated with a display device, the access pointmay identify the user of the wireless device as a potential viewer ofthe display device. Targeted advertisements and set-top boxfunctionality may be configured based on the identification of a viewerof the display device.

An embodiment of the invention described herein may include a methodcomprising: (a) measuring the strength of a signal between a wirelessclient device and one or more receivers, wherein the wireless clientdevice is associated with a first user; (b) based upon the measuredstrength of the signal between the wireless client device and the one ormore receivers, determining a position of the wireless client devicerelative to an access point, wherein the position of the wireless clientdevice relative to the access point comprises a distance between thewireless client device and the access point and a direction of thewireless client device with respect to the access point; (c) determiningthat the position of the wireless client device relative to the accesspoint is associated with a display device; and (d) identifying the firstuser as a potential viewer of the display device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the association between thedisplay device and the position of the wireless client device relativeto the access point is created and stored at the access point when thesignal strength between the wireless client device and one or morereceivers is measured and stored in response to a message received fromthe wireless client device, and the message comprises an identificationof the wireless client device and the display device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method described hereinfurther comprises outputting a notification to a media device deliveringcontent to the display device, wherein the notification informs themedia device that the first user is a potential viewer of the displaydevice.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the notification comprisesprofile information associated with the first user.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the notification is outputto the media device after the position of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point has been constant for a predeterminedduration of time.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method described hereinfurther comprises: (a) taking a subsequent measurement of the strengthof a signal between the wireless client device and one or morereceivers; (b) based upon the subsequent measurement of the strength ofthe signal between the wireless client device and the one or morereceivers, determining a current position of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point, wherein the current position of thewireless client device relative to the access point is not associatedwith the display device; and (c) outputting a notification to the mediadevice, wherein the notification informs the media device that the firstuser is no longer a potential viewer of the display device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method described hereinfurther comprises outputting a notification to a targeted advertisementsystem, wherein the notification identifies the first user as apotential viewer of the display device.

An embodiment of the invention described herein may include an apparatuscomprising: (a) one or more receivers configured to be used to receive asignal from a wireless client device, wherein the wireless client deviceis associated with a first user; (b) a module configured to: (i) measurethe strength of the signal received from the wireless client device;(ii) based upon the measured strength of the signal received from thewireless client device, determine a position of the wireless clientdevice relative to the one or more receivers, wherein the position ofthe wireless client device relative to the one or more receiverscomprises a distance between the wireless client device and the one ormore receivers and a direction of the wireless client device withrespect to the one or more receivers; (iii) determine that the positionof the wireless client device relative to the one or more receivers isassociated with a display device; and (iv) identify the first user as apotential viewer of the display device.

An embodiment of the invention described herein may include one or morenon-transitory computer readable media having instructions operable tocause one or more processors to perform the operations comprising: (a)measuring the strength of a signal between a wireless client device andone or more receivers, wherein the wireless client device is associatedwith a first user; (b) based upon the measured strength of the signalbetween the wireless client device and the one or more receivers,determining a position of the wireless client device relative to anaccess point, wherein the position of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point comprises a distance between the wirelessclient device and the access point and a direction of the wirelessclient device with respect to the access point; (c) determining that theposition of the wireless client device relative to the access point isassociated with a display device; and (d) identifying the first user asa potential viewer of the display device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example network environment100 operable to identify a viewer based upon the proximity of anassociated wireless device to an access point. In embodiments, video,voice, and/or data services may be delivered to one or more clientdevices 105. Client devices 105 may include a television 105 a, mobilewireless device 105 b (e.g., mobile telephone, tablet, etc.), computer105 c, gaming console, wearable device (e.g., smart watch, glasses,etc.) and any other device operable to receive video, voice, and/or dataservices. It should be understood that various data, multimedia, and/orvoice services may be delivered to the client devices 105, including butnot limited to, live or broadcast television, video-on-demand (VoD)content, pay-per view content, recorded content (e.g., DVR content),audio-only content, streaming content, and others.

Multiple services may be delivered to client devices 105 within asubscriber premise 110 over one or more local networks (e.g., coaxialnetwork, a local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN),personal area network (PAN), Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)network, mobile hotspot network, and any other interconnectivityoperable to route communications to and from client devices 105), anddelivery of the multiple services may be facilitated by one or moreaccess devices. Central devices may include any device configured toreceive and/or deliver communications or services to one or more clientdevices 105. For example, access devices may include an access point 115(e.g., gateway device, router, wireless extender, etc.), a set-top box(STB) 120, and others. It should be understood that one or more centraldevices may be integrated with each other or with other devices. Forexample, a client device 105 or STB 120 may operate as a station or anaccess point.

It should be understood that delivery of the multiple services over thelocal network(s) 110 may be accomplished using a variety of standardsand formats. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant artthat client devices 105 may be capable of interacting and communicatingwith each other and/or with a central device over various wired andwireless communication standards (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.).

Multiple services may be provided to a subscriber premise 110 from a WAN125 through a subscriber network 130. The subscriber network mayinclude, for example, a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, fibernetwork, mobile network, and any other network operable to deliverservices to a subscriber premise 110.

In embodiments, an access point 115 may log an association between thelocation of a wireless client device (e.g., mobile wireless device 105b) and a display device (e.g., television 105 a, computer 105 c, etc.).An access point 115 may receive a learn location command from a wirelessclient device while the wireless client device is located at or near inproximity to a display device. For example, a user may output a learnlocation command from the wireless client device to the access point 115while the user is located at a certain proximity to a display device(e.g., from a couch, recliner, etc.), and the learn location command mayidentify the display device (e.g., user may input a unique identifier ofthe display device). When the access point 115 receives a learn locationcommand from the wireless client device, the access point 115 maydetermine a proximity of the wireless client device to the access point115 and a direction of the wireless client device relative to the accesspoint 115. The access point 115 may determine the proximity of thewireless client device by measuring the strength of a signal receivedfrom the wireless client device at the access point 115. The accesspoint 115 may determine a relative direction of the wireless clientdevice by measuring the strength of a signal received from the wirelessclient device across a plurality of antennas or across a plurality ofsegments of a single antenna. For example, the location of the wirelessclient device may be triangulated using the measured signal strengths ateach of the plurality of antennas. It should be understood that theplurality of antennas may be located at a single access point or may belocated across a plurality of access points (e.g., the premise 110 mayinclude multiple access points 115).

An access point 115 may store an association between a wireless clientdevice, a user of the wireless client device, a display device, aproximity, and a relative direction. For example, the proximity andrelative direction may be a logged proximity and relative direction ofthe wireless client device as measured when the wireless client devicewas previously located at or near in proximity to the display device anda learn location command was output to the access point.

In embodiments, an access point 115 may monitor the location of awireless client device within the premise 110 and may recognize when thewireless client device is located at or near in proximity to a certaindisplay device. For example, the access point 115 may compare amonitored proximity (e.g., signal strength) and relative direction(e.g., signal strengths at each of a plurality of certain antennas) ofthe wireless client device with proximities and corresponding relativedirections logged for the wireless client device. If the access point115 determines that the monitored location of the wireless client devicematches a logged location for the wireless client device, the accesspoint 115 may determine that the wireless client device is currentlylocated at or near a display device that is associated with the loggedlocation for the wireless client device.

In embodiments, when an access point 115 determines that a wirelessclient device is at or near in proximity to a display device, the accesspoint 115 may inform a CPE device (e.g., STB 120) delivering services tothe display device, or the display device itself, that the userassociated with the wireless client device is a potential viewer of thedisplay device. The access point 115 may output profile informationassociated with the user to the CPE device. For example, profileinformation may include personal information associated with a userassociated with the device (e.g., name, gender, age, etc.), preferencesassociated with the user (e.g., favorite channels, shows, media genres,etc.), privileges afforded the user (e.g., enable/disable parentalcontrol, ability to make PPV or VOD purchases, etc.), and/or otherinformation. In embodiments, user profile information may be stored atthe CPE device (e.g., STB 120).

In embodiments, when an access point 115 determines that a wirelessclient device is at or near in proximity to a display device, the accesspoint 115 may inform a targeted advertisement system 135 that the userassociated with the wireless client device is a potential viewer of thedisplay device. The access point 115 may output user information to thetargeted advertisement system 135, and the user information may includean identification of the user and may include personal informationassociated with the user (e.g., name, gender, age, etc.), preferencesassociated with the user (e.g., favorite channels, shows, media genres,etc.), and/or other information that may be used to select appropriatetargeted advertisement content that might be relevant to the user. Itshould be understood that the targeted advertisement system 135 mayreside within a back-office or the cloud.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example access point 115operable to facilitate an identification of a viewer based upon theproximity of an associated wireless device to an access point. Theaccess point 115 may include a client interface 205, a device locationlearning module 210, a location characteristics data store 215, a devicelocation monitor 220, and a device profile data store 225.

In embodiments, a client interface 205 may provide an interface forfacilitating communications between the access point 115 and one or moreclient devices (e.g., STB 120 of FIG. 1, television 105 a of FIG. 1,mobile device 105 b, computer 105 c, etc.). For example, multipleservices may be output from the access point 115 through the clientinterface 205 and may be delivered to one or more client devices over alocal network (e.g., LAN, WLAN, MoCA, etc.). It should be understoodthat a client interface 205 may be configured to receive and/or outputcommunications using various communication techniques, protocols, andstandards (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA),twisted pair, etc.). Wireless communications may be transmitted to andreceived from one or more client devices through the client interface205.

In embodiments, the client interface 205 may include one or moreantennas for transmitting and receiving wireless communications. Theclient interface 205 may include a multiple input/multiple output (MIMO)antenna configuration (e.g., 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, etc.) or a singleinput/single output (SISO) antenna configuration (e.g., 1×1).

In embodiments, the device location learning module 210 may determine asignal strength and direction of a wireless client device (e.g., mobiledevice 105 b of FIG. 1) relative to the access point 115, and mayassociate the signal strength and relative direction with a displaydevice. For example, the access point 115 may receive a learn locationcommand from a wireless client device, and the device location learningmodule 210 can respond to the learn location command by logging thestrength of a signal received from the wireless client device along withthe relative direction of the wireless client device. The direction ofthe wireless client device relative to the access point 115 may bedetermined, for example, by measuring the strength of a signal receivedfrom a wireless client device across at least two antennas (or across aplurality of segments of a single antenna). It should be understood thatthe at least two antennas may be located at a single access point oracross a plurality of access points. The measured signal strengthcoupled with the determined relative direction of the wireless clientdevice may provide an indication of the wireless client device'sproximity and direction relative to a display device identified withinthe learn location command.

In embodiments, the proximity of the wireless client device to thedisplay device may be logged at the location characteristics data store215. For example, the proximity of the wireless client device to thedisplay device may be stored as an association between the wirelessclient device, the display device, the measured strength of the signalreceived from the wireless client device after the reception of thelearn location command, and the direction of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point as determined after the reception of thelearn location command. The direction of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point 115 may be stored as the strength of asignal received from the wireless client device across at least twoantennas associated with the access point 115 or the strength of asignal received from the wireless client device across at least oneantenna associated with the access point 115 and at least one antennaassociated with another access point.

In embodiments, a device profile associated with a wireless clientdevice may be stored at the device profile data store 225. The deviceprofile may include personal information associated with a userassociated with the device (e.g., name, gender, age, etc.), preferencesassociated with the user (e.g., favorite channels, shows, media genres,etc.), privileges afforded the user (e.g., enable/disable parentalcontrol, ability to make PPV or VOD purchases, etc.), and/or otherinformation. The device profile information may be retrieved from thewireless client device during the location learning process between thewireless client device and the access point 115. For example, a user mayinput profile information into the wireless client device, and theprofile information may be output to the access point 115 along with thelearn location command.

In embodiments, a device location monitor 220 may monitor the locationof a wireless client device relative to the access point 115. The devicelocation monitor 220 may monitor the strength of a signal received fromthe wireless client device at the client interface 205, and a directionof the wireless client device relative to the access point 115. Thedevice location monitor 220 may determine the relative direction of thewireless client device based upon the strength of a signal received fromthe wireless client device across at least two antennas. It should beunderstood that the at least two antennas may be located at a singleaccess point (e.g., MIMO antenna configuration) or across a plurality ofaccess points. For example, the location or direction of a wirelessclient device may be determined based upon a triangulation of the deviceusing the signal strengths received from the device at the differentantennas. It should be understood that various types of signals receivedfrom a wireless client device may be measured to determine a signalstrength and relative direction of the wireless client device. Forexample, each signal received at the access point 115 from a wirelessclient device may be measured to determine a current signal strength andrelative direction associated with the wireless client device.

In embodiments, while monitoring the signal strength and relativedirection of the wireless client device, the device location monitor 220may compare the monitored signal strength and relative direction of thewireless client device to display device proximity information stored atthe location characteristics data store 215. Display device proximityinformation may include an association between the wireless clientdevice, a user, a display device, a strength of a signal received fromthe wireless client device, and a direction of the wireless clientdevice relative to the access point 115. The signal strength andrelative direction associated with the wireless client device and thedisplay device may be a strength of a signal received from the wirelessclient device and a relative direction of the device that was logged bythe device location learning module 210 in response to receiving a learnlocation command from the wireless client device while the wirelessclient device was located at a certain proximity to the display device.

In embodiments, the device location monitor 220 may determine that amonitored wireless client device is located at or near in proximity to acertain display device when the monitored signal strength and relativedirection of the wireless client device matches a previously loggedsignal strength and relative direction associated with the wirelessclient device and the display device. When the device location monitor220 determines that a monitored wireless client device is located at ornear in proximity to a display device, the device location monitor 220may output a notification to the display device or a CPE deviceassociated with the display device (e.g., STB 120 of FIG. 1) informingthe display device or CPE device that a user associated with thewireless client device is a potential viewer of the display device. Thenotification that is output to the display device or CPE device mayinclude personal and/or preferential information associated with theuser that is associated with the wireless client device (e.g.,information associated with a user of a wireless client device may bestored at the device profile data store 225).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 300 operable tofacilitate the generation of a user profile, the profile including anassociation between wireless parameters and the location of a wirelessclient device. The process 300 may begin at 305, when a learn locationcommand is received from a wireless client device associated with afirst user. In embodiments, a GUI/TUI presented to a user on a wirelessclient device (e.g., client device 105 b) may be used to initiate theoutput of a learn location command from the wireless client device to anaccess point. The output of the learn location command may be initiatedfrom the wireless client device when the wireless client device islocated near in proximity to a first display device. For example, thewireless client device may be located at a position from which the usertypically views the first display device. The learn location command mayinclude an identification of the first display device (e.g., ‘livingroom television,’ ‘bedroom television,’ ‘office computer,’ etc.).

At 310, a signal strength and relative direction associated with thewireless client device may be determined. The signal strength andrelative direction associated with the wireless client device may bedetermined, for example, by the access point 115 of FIG. 1 receiving thelearn location command (e.g., at device location learning module 210 ofFIG. 2). The strength of the signal between the access point 115 and thewireless client device may be logged and stored (e.g., stored at thelocation characteristics data store 215 of FIG. 2). The strength of thesignal may be a measurement of the strength and direction of a signalreceived from the wireless client device at one or more antennasassociated with the access point 115.

In embodiments, the direction of the wireless client device relative tothe access point 115 may be determined based upon signal strengthrealized at one or more antennas of the access point 115 or may bedetermined based upon signal strength between the wireless client deviceand one or more other access points. For example, where the access pointincludes a multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) antenna configuration(e.g., 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, etc.), the strength of a signal received from thewireless client device at one or more of the receive antennas may beused by the device location learning module 210 to determine therelative direction of the wireless client device. Where the access pointincludes a single input/single output (SISO) antenna configuration(e.g., 1×1), the strength of the signal received from the wirelessclient device at the receive antenna of the access point 115 may becoupled with the strength of a signal between the access point 115 andone or more other access points and the strength of a signal between thewireless client device and each of the one or more other access pointsto determine the relative direction of the wireless client device. Thedirection of the wireless client device relative to the access point 115may be logged at the access point 115 as the strength of a signalreceived from the wireless client device across at least two antennasassociated with the access point 115 or the strength of a signalreceived from the wireless client device across at least one antennaassociated with the access point 115 and at least one antenna associatedwith another access point.

At 315, the signal strength and relative direction observed for thewireless client device may be associated with the first display device.The logged signal strength and relative direction (e.g., signal strengthat the plurality of antennas) may be associated with the wireless clientdevice from which the learn location command is received, a first userassociated with the wireless client device, and a first display deviceidentified within the learn location command, and the associationbetween the signal strength, relative direction, wireless client device,first user, and first display device may be stored, for example, at theaccess point 115 (e.g., at the location characteristics data store 215of FIG. 2) at 320.

At 325, a profile may be established for the first user. A profile forthe first user may be established and stored, for example, at the accesspoint 115 (e.g., at the device profile data store 225 of FIG. 2). Theprofile for the first user may include personal information associatedwith the first user (e.g., name, gender, age, etc.), preferencesassociated with the first user (e.g., favorite channels, shows, mediagenres, etc.), privileges afforded the first user (e.g., enable/disableparental control, ability to make PPV or VOD purchases, etc.), and/orother information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 400 operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of anassociated wireless device to an access point. The process 400 may beginat 405, where a signal strength and relative direction of a firstwireless client device associated with a first user is monitored. Inembodiments, one or more access points may monitor the strength of asignal received from a wireless client device, and a relative locationof the wireless client device may be determined based on the strength ofa signal received from the wireless client device across at least twoantennas (e.g., either antennas located at a single access point ormultiple access points). It should be understood that various types ofsignals received from a wireless client device may be measured todetermine a signal strength and relative direction of the wirelessclient device.

At 410, the determination may be made whether the monitored signalstrength and relative direction of the wireless client device isassociated with a display device. In embodiments, the access point(e.g., the device location monitor 220 of FIG. 2) may compare themonitored signal strength and relative direction of the wireless clientdevice to one or more previously logged and stored signal strengths andrelative directions for the wireless client device, wherein thepreviously logged and stored signal strengths and relative directionsare associated with one or more display devices. For example, anassociation between the wireless client device, a signal strengthbetween the wireless client device and an access point, a relativedirection of the wireless client device, a user, and a display devicemay be stored at the location characteristics data store 215 of FIG. 2.The direction of the wireless client device with respect to an accesspoint may be stored within the location characteristics data store 215of FIG. 2 as a signal strength between the wireless client device and atleast two antennas. If the monitored signal strength and relativedirection of the wireless client device is not associated with a displaydevice, the access point may continue to monitor the signal strength andrelative direction of the first wireless client device at 405. It shouldbe understood that a display device may be associated with a range ofsignal strengths such that the determination may be made that a user islikely to be near in proximity to a display device when the determinedsignal strength and relative direction of the associated wireless clientdevice is within a certain threshold of the signal strength and relativedirection that is logged at the location characteristics data store 215of FIG. 2.

If, at 410, the determination is made that the monitored signal strengthand relative direction of the first wireless client device is associatedwith a display device, the process 400 may proceed to 415. At 415, anotification may be output to a CPE device associated with the displaydevice, wherein the notification indicates to the CPE device that thefirst user is a potential viewer of the display device. For example, anaccess point (e.g., access point 115 of FIG. 1) may output anotification to a CPE device (e.g., STB 120 or gateway device) that isdelivering media to the display device (e.g., television 105 a, mobiledevice 105 b, computer 105 c, etc.). In embodiments, the notificationmay identify the first user and may include personal informationassociated with the first user (e.g., name, gender, age, etc.),preferences associated with the first user (e.g., favorite channels,shows, media genres, etc.), privileges afforded the first user (e.g.,enable/disable parental control, ability to make PPV or VOD purchases,etc.), and/or other information. The CPE device may modify delivery ofmedia to the display device in response to the notification receivedfrom the access point. For example, the CPE device may modify the mediadelivered (e.g., targeted advertisement content), update user interfaces(e.g., guides and favorites lists may be updated according topreferences of the first user), and disable/enable certain features(e.g., parental controls, purchasing options) according to privilegesafforded the first user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 500 operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the duration of anassociated wireless device's proximity to an access point. The process500 may begin at 505, where a signal strength and relative direction ofa first wireless client device associated with a first user ismonitored. In embodiments, one or more access points may monitor thestrength of a signal received from a wireless client device, and arelative location of the wireless client device may be determined basedon the strength of a signal received from the wireless client deviceacross at least two antennas (e.g., either antennas located at a singleaccess point or multiple access points).

At 510, the determination may be made whether the monitored signalstrength and relative direction of the wireless client device isassociated with a display device. In embodiments, the access point(e.g., the device location monitor 220 of FIG. 2) may compare themonitored signal strength and relative direction of the wireless clientdevice to one or more previously logged and stored signal strengths andrelative directions for the wireless client device, wherein thepreviously logged and stored signal strengths and relative directionsare associated with one or more display devices. For example, anassociation between the wireless client device, a signal strengthbetween the wireless client device and an access point, a relativedirection of the wireless client device, a user, and a display devicemay be stored at the location characteristics data store 215 of FIG. 2.The direction of the wireless client device with respect to an accesspoint may be stored within the location characteristics data store 215of FIG. 2 as a signal strength between the wireless client device and atleast two antennas. If the monitored signal strength and relativedirection of the wireless client device is not associated with a displaydevice, the access point may continue to monitor the signal strength andrelative direction of the first wireless client device at 505.

If, at 510, the determination is made that the monitored signal strengthand relative direction of the first wireless client device is associatedwith a display device, the process 500 may proceed to 515. At 515, adetermination may be made whether the signal strength and relativedirection of the first wireless client device has been associated withthe display device for a predetermined duration. The determinationwhether the signal strength and relative direction of the first wirelessclient device has been associated with the display device for apredetermined duration may be made, for example, by the access point(e.g., at a device location monitor 220 of FIG. 2). In embodiments, whenthe determination is made that the monitored signal strength andrelative direction of the first wireless client device is associatedwith a display device, the device location monitor 220 can start a timerof a predetermined duration (e.g., thirty seconds, one minute, twominutes, etc.), and at the expiration of the timer, if the monitoredsignal strength and relative direction of the first wireless clientdevice is still associated with a display device, then the determinationmay be made that the signal strength and direction have been associatedwith the display device for a predetermined duration. If thedetermination is made that the signal strength and relative direction ofthe first wireless client device have not been associated with thedisplay device for a predetermined duration, the process 500 may returnto 510.

If, at 515, the determination is made that the signal strength andrelative direction of the first wireless client device have beenassociated with the display device for a predetermined duration, theprocess 500 may proceed to 520. At 520, a notification may be output toa CPE device associated with the display device, wherein thenotification indicates to the CPE device that the first user is apotential viewer of the display device. For example, an access point(e.g., access point 115 of FIG. 1) may output a notification to a CPEdevice (e.g., STB 120 or gateway device) that is delivering media to thedisplay device (e.g., television 105 a, mobile device 105 b, computer105 c, etc.). In embodiments, the notification may identify the firstuser and may include personal information associated with the first user(e.g., name, gender, age, etc.), preferences associated with the firstuser (e.g., favorite channels, shows, media genres, etc.), privilegesafforded the first user (e.g., enable/disable parental control, abilityto make PPV or VOD purchases, etc.), and/or other information. The CPEdevice may modify delivery of media to the display device in response tothe notification received from the access point. For example, the CPEdevice may modify the media delivered (e.g., targeted advertisementcontent), update user interfaces (e.g., guides and favorites lists maybe updated according to preferences of the first user), anddisable/enable certain features (e.g., parental controls, purchasingoptions) according to privileges afforded the first user.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 600 operable tofacilitate an identification of viewer movement based upon the proximityof an associated wireless device to an access point. The process 600 maybegin at 605, where a signal strength and relative direction of a firstwireless client device associated with a first user is monitored. Thesignal strength and relative direction of the first wireless clientdevice may be monitored while the first user is associated with adisplay device as a potential viewer of the display device. For example,a CPE device (e.g., STB 120 of FIG. 1, gateway device, etc.) deliveringmedia to the display device, or the display device itself, may havepreviously been notified that the first user is a potential viewer ofthe display device based upon an association between the signal strengthand relative direction of the first wireless client device and thedisplay device. In embodiments, one or more access points may monitorthe strength of a signal received from a wireless client device, and arelative location of the wireless client device may be determined basedon the strength of a signal received from the wireless client deviceacross at least two antennas (e.g., either antennas located at a singleaccess point or multiple access points).

At 610, a determination may be made whether the monitored signalstrength and relative direction of the wireless client device is stillassociated with the display device. In embodiments, the access point(e.g., the device location monitor 220 of FIG. 2) may compare themonitored signal strength and relative direction of the wireless clientdevice to a previously logged and stored signal strength and relativedirection for the wireless client device, wherein the previously loggedand stored signal strength and relative direction is associated with thedisplay device. For example, an association between the wireless clientdevice, a signal strength between the wireless client device and anaccess point, a relative direction of the wireless client device, auser, and a display device may be stored at the location characteristicsdata store 215 of FIG. 2. The direction of the wireless client devicewith respect to an access point may be stored within the locationcharacteristics data store 215 of FIG. 2 as a signal strength betweenthe wireless client device and at least two antennas. If the monitoredsignal strength and relative direction of the wireless client device isstill associated with the display device, the access point may continueto monitor the signal strength and relative direction of the firstwireless client device at 605.

If, at 610, the determination is made that the monitored signal strengthand relative direction of the first wireless client device is no longerassociated with the display device, the process 600 may proceed to 615.At 615, a notification may be output to a CPE device associated with thedisplay device, wherein the notification indicates to the CPE devicethat the first user is no longer a potential viewer of the displaydevice. For example, an access point (e.g., access point 115 of FIG. 1)may output a notification to a CPE device (e.g., STB 120 or gatewaydevice) that is delivering media to the display device (e.g., television105 a, mobile device 105 b, computer 105 c, etc.). The CPE device maymodify delivery of media to the display device in response to thenotification received from the access point. For example, the CPE devicemay modify the media delivered (e.g., targeted advertisement content),update user interfaces (e.g., guides and favorites lists may be updatedaccording to general or global settings), and disable/enable certainfeatures (e.g., parental controls, purchasing options) according togeneral or global settings.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 700 operable tofacilitate a modification of media delivery settings based upon anidentification of a potential viewer of a display device. The process700 may begin at 705, where a notification is received from an accesspoint, the notification identifying a first user as a potential viewerof an associated display device. The notification may be received at aCPE device (e.g., STB 120 of FIG. 1, gateway device, etc.) deliveringmedia to the display device, or may be received at the display deviceitself. The first user may be identified as a potential viewer of thedisplay device based upon a monitored signal strength and relativedirection of a first wireless client device associated with the firstuser, wherein the monitored signal strength and relative directionindicates that the first wireless client device is near in proximity tothe display device. In embodiments, the notification received from theaccess point may identify the first user and may include personalinformation associated with the first user (e.g., name, gender, age,etc.), preferences associated with the first user (e.g., favoritechannels, shows, media genres, etc.), privileges afforded the first user(e.g., enable/disable parental control, ability to make PPV or VODpurchases, etc.), and/or other information.

At 710, the display device may be associated with the first user. Inembodiments, a CPE device delivering media to the display device, or thedisplay device itself, may update configuration settings to associatethe display device with the first user. It should be understood that adisplay device may be associated with a plurality of users at any giventime, and media may be delivered to the display device according to thesettings and/or preferences associated with each of the users associatedwith the display device.

At 715, setting(s) and/or preference(s) associated with the first usermay be applied in the delivery of media to the display device. Inembodiments, setting(s) and/or preference(s) associated with the firstuser may be identified from the notification received from the accesspoint (e.g., setting(s) and/or preference(s) stored within a userprofile at the device profile data store 225 of FIG. 2). Delivery ofmedia to the display device may be modified in response to thenotification received from the access point. For example, a CPE deviceor the display device itself (e.g., via a media player integrated withthe display device) may modify the media delivered (e.g., targetedadvertisement content), update user interfaces (e.g., guides andfavorites lists may be updated according to preferences associated withthe first user), and disable/enable certain features (e.g., parentalcontrols, purchasing options) according to settings or preferencesassociated with the first user. Where a plurality of users areassociated with a display device and conflicts exist between thesettings and/or preferences associated with each of the plurality ofusers, priority levels associated with the users may be used todetermine which settings and/or preferences should be applied for thedelivery of media to the display device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 800 operable tofacilitate the delivery of targeted advertisement content to a displaydevice based upon an identification of a potential viewer of the displaydevice. The process 800 may begin at 805, where a signal strength andrelative direction of a first wireless client device associated with afirst user is monitored. In embodiments, one or more access points maymonitor the strength of a signal received from a wireless client device,and a relative location of the wireless client device may be determinedbased on the strength of a signal received from the wireless clientdevice across at least two antennas (e.g., either antennas located at asingle access point or multiple access points). The monitored wirelessclient device may be a device associated with a user for which targetedadvertisement information is available. For example, a profile may becreated for the first user, wherein the profile includes informationsuch as name, gender, age, media preferences (e.g., favorite programs,channels, genres, etc.), and other information.

At 810, the determination may be made whether the monitored signalstrength and relative direction of the wireless client device isassociated with a display device. In embodiments, the access point(e.g., the device location monitor 220 of FIG. 2) may compare themonitored signal strength and relative direction of the wireless clientdevice to one or more previously logged and stored signal strengths andrelative directions for the wireless client device, wherein thepreviously logged and stored signal strengths and relative directionsare associated with one or more display devices. For example, anassociation between the wireless client device, a signal strengthbetween the wireless client device and an access point, a relativedirection of the wireless client device, a user, and a display devicemay be stored at the location characteristics data store 215 of FIG. 2.The direction of the wireless client device with respect to an accesspoint may be stored within the location characteristics data store 215of FIG. 2 as a signal strength between the wireless client device and atleast two antennas. If the monitored signal strength and relativedirection of the wireless client device is not associated with a displaydevice, the access point may continue to monitor the signal strength andrelative direction of the first wireless client device at 805.

If, at 810, the determination is made that the monitored signal strengthand relative direction of the first wireless client device is associatedwith a display device, the process 800 may proceed to 815. At 815, anotification may be output to a targeted advertisement system, whereinthe notification indicates that the first user is a potential viewer ofthe display device. For example, an access point (e.g., access point 115of FIG. 1) may output a notification to a targeted advertisement system(e.g., targeted advertisement system 135 of FIG. 1) that is configuredto deliver advertisement content to the display device. In embodiments,the notification may identify the first user and may include personalinformation associated with the first user (e.g., name, gender, age,etc.), preferences associated with the first user (e.g., favoritechannels, shows, media genres, etc.), viewing habits (e.g., patterns intime and/or duration of program/channel viewing), and/or otherinformation.

At 820, targeted advertisement content may be identified based onpersonal and/or preference information associated with the first user.In embodiments, a targeted advertisement system (e.g., targetedadvertisement system 135 of FIG. 1) may identify targeted advertisementcontent having one or more parameters matching the personal and/orpreference information associated with the first user. For example,targeted advertisement content may be stored within an advertisementcontent server and may be associated with one or more user parameters(e.g., user age, gender, interests, etc.).

At 825, the identified targeted advertisement content may be deliveredto the display device. In embodiments, the targeted advertisement system(e.g., targeted advertisement system 135 of FIG. 1) may add theidentified targeted advertisement content to a multimedia stream that isdelivered to the display device. For example, the targeted advertisementsystem may replace generic advertisement content of a multimedia streamwith targeted advertisement content, and the modified multimedia streammay be delivered to the access point 115 or CPE device (e.g., STB 120,gateway device, etc.) for output to the display device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration 900 operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of anassociated wireless device to an access point. The hardwareconfiguration 900 can include a processor 910, a memory 920, a storagedevice 930, and an input/output device 940. Each of the components 910,920, 930, and 940 can, for example, be interconnected using a system bus950. The processor 910 can be capable of processing instructions forexecution within the hardware configuration 900. In one implementation,the processor 910 can be a single-threaded processor. In anotherimplementation, the processor 910 can be a multi-threaded processor. Theprocessor 910 can be capable of processing instructions stored in thememory 920 or on the storage device 930.

The memory 920 can store information within the hardware configuration900. In one implementation, the memory 920 can be a computer-readablemedium. In one implementation, the memory 920 can be a volatile memoryunit. In another implementation, the memory 920 can be a non-volatilememory unit.

In some implementations, the storage device 930 can be capable ofproviding mass storage for the hardware configuration 900. In oneimplementation, the storage device 930 can be a computer-readablemedium. In various different implementations, the storage device 930can, for example, include a hard disk device, an optical disk device,flash memory or some other large capacity storage device. In otherimplementations, the storage device 930 can be a device external to thehardware configuration 900.

The input/output device 940 provides input/output operations for thehardware configuration 900. In one implementation, the input/outputdevice 940 can include one or more of a network interface device (e.g.,an Ethernet card), a serial communication device (e.g., an RS-232 port),one or more universal serial bus (USB) interfaces (e.g., a USB 2.0port), one or more wireless interface devices (e.g., an 802.11 card),and/or one or more interfaces for outputting video, voice, and/or dataservices to a CPE device (e.g., access point 115 of FIG. 1, STB 120 ofFIG. 1, gateway device, etc.) or a client device (e.g., television 105 aof FIG. 1, mobile device 105 b, computer 105 c, etc.). In embodiments,the input/output device can include driver devices configured to sendcommunications to, and receive communications from one or more networks(e.g., subscriber network 130 of FIG. 1, WAN 125 of FIG. 1, etc.).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention improvesupon methods and systems for identifying a viewer of a display device.Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable tofacilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of anassociated wireless device to an access point. An association between awireless device, user, display device, and a position of the wirelessdevice relative to an access point may be created and stored at theaccess point. The access point may monitor the position of the wirelessdevice, wherein the position is based on the strength of a signalreceived from the wireless device at one or more receivers. When theaccess point determines that a position of the wireless device isassociated with a display device, the access point may identify the userof the wireless device as a potential viewer of the display device.Targeted advertisements and set-top box functionality may be configuredbased on the identification of a viewer of the display device.

The subject matter of this disclosure, and components thereof, can berealized by instructions that upon execution cause one or moreprocessing devices to carry out the processes and functions describedabove. Such instructions can, for example, comprise interpretedinstructions, such as script instructions, e.g., JavaScript orECMAScript instructions, or executable code, or other instructionsstored in a computer readable medium.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be provided in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments ofthe subject matter described in this specification can be implemented asone or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules ofcomputer program instructions encoded on a tangible program carrier forexecution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unitsuitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does notnecessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can bestored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g.,one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a singlefile dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinatedfiles (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, orportions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed onone computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site ordistributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communicationnetwork.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification areperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output thereby tying the process to a particular machine(e.g., a machine programmed to perform the processes described herein).The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatuscan also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., anFPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit).

Computer readable media suitable for storing computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, mediaand memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices); magnetic disks(e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks); magneto optical disks;and CD ROM and DVD ROM disks. The processor and the memory can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyinvention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particularinventions. Certain features that are described in this specification inthe context of separate embodiments can also be implemented incombination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a sub combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in thisspecification have been described. Other embodiments are within thescope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in theclaims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirableresults, unless expressly noted otherwise. As one example, the processesdepicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In some implementations, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: measuring the strength of a signalbetween a wireless client device and one or more receivers, wherein thewireless client device is associated with a first user; based upon themeasured strength of the signal between the wireless client device andthe one or more receivers, determining a position of the wireless clientdevice relative to an access point, wherein the position of the wirelessclient device relative to the access point comprises a distance betweenthe wireless client device and the access point and a direction of thewireless client device with respect to the access point; determiningthat the position of the wireless client device relative to the accesspoint is associated with a display device, wherein the associationbetween the position of the wireless client device relative to theaccess point and the display device is determined based upon anidentification of the association within a log entry, wherein the logentry is created in response to a command that is received from thewireless client device, the command comprising an identification of thedisplay device, and wherein the creation of the log entry comprises:measuring a strength of a signal received from the wireless clientdevice; and logging an association between the measured strength of thesignal received from the wireless device and the display device;identifying the first user as a potential viewer of the display device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the association between the displaydevice and the position of the wireless client device relative to theaccess point is created and stored at the access point when the signalstrength between the wireless client device and one or more receivers ismeasured and stored in response to a message received from the wirelessclient device, wherein the message comprises an identification of thewireless client device and the display device.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: outputting a notification to a targetedadvertisement system, wherein the notification identifies the first useras a potential viewer of the display device.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: outputting a notification to a media devicedelivering content to the display device, wherein the notificationinforms the media device that the first user is a potential viewer ofthe display device.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the notificationcomprises profile information associated with the first user.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the notification is output to the mediadevice after the position of the wireless client device relative to theaccess point has been constant for a predetermined duration of time. 7.The method of claim 4, further comprising: taking a subsequentmeasurement of the strength of a signal between the wireless clientdevice and one or more receivers; based upon the subsequent measurementof the strength of the signal between the wireless client device and theone or more receivers, determining a current position of the wirelessclient device relative to the access point, wherein the current positionof the wireless client device relative to the access point is notassociated with the display device; and outputting a notification to themedia device, wherein the notification informs the media device that thefirst user is no longer a potential viewer of the display device.
 8. Anapparatus comprising: one or more receivers configured to be used toreceive a signal from a wireless client device, wherein the wirelessclient device is associated with a first user; a module configured to:measure the strength of the signal received from the wireless clientdevice; based upon the measured strength of the signal received from thewireless client device, determine a position of the wireless clientdevice relative to the one or more receivers, wherein the position ofthe wireless client device relative to the one or more receiverscomprises a distance between the wireless client device and the one ormore receivers and a direction of the wireless client device withrespect to the one or more receivers; determine that the position of thewireless client device relative to the one or more receivers isassociated with a display device, wherein the association between theposition of the wireless client device relative to the one or morereceivers and the display device is determined based upon anidentification of the association within a log entry, wherein the logentry is created in response to a command that is received from thewireless client device, the command comprising an identification of thedisplay device, and wherein the creation of the log entry comprises:measuring a strength of a signal received from the wireless clientdevice; and logging an association between the measured strength of thesignal received from the wireless device and the display device;identify the first user as a potential viewer of the display device. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the module is further configured tocreate and store the association between the display device and theposition of the wireless client device relative to the one or morereceivers when the signal strength between the wireless client deviceand the one or more receivers is measured and stored in response to amessage received from the wireless client device, wherein the messagecomprises an identification of the wireless client device and thedisplay device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: aninterface configured to be used to output a notification to a mediadevice delivering content to the display device, wherein thenotification informs the media device that the first user is a potentialviewer of the display device.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising: an interface configured to be used to output a notificationto a targeted advertisement system, wherein the notification identifiesthe first user as a potential viewer of the display device.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the notification comprises profileinformation associated with the first user.
 13. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the notification is output to the media device after theposition of the wireless client device relative to the one or morereceivers has been constant for a predetermined duration of time. 14.One or more non-transitory computer readable media having instructionsoperable to cause one or more processors to perform the operationscomprising: measuring the strength of a signal between a wireless clientdevice and one or more receivers, wherein the wireless client device isassociated with a first user; based upon the measured strength of thesignal between the wireless client device and the one or more receivers,determining a position of the wireless client device relative to anaccess point, wherein the position of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point comprises a distance between the wirelessclient device and the access point and a direction of the wirelessclient device with respect to the access point; determining that theposition of the wireless client device relative to the access point isassociated with a display device, wherein the association between theposition of the wireless client device relative to the access point andthe display device is determined based upon an identification of theassociation within a log entry, wherein the log entry is created inresponse to a command that is received from the wireless client device,the command comprising an identification of the display device, andwherein the creation of the log entry comprises: measuring a strength ofa signal received from the wireless client device; and logging anassociation between the measured strength of the signal received fromthe wireless device and the display device; identifying the first useras a potential viewer of the display device.
 15. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein theassociation between the display device and the position of the wirelessclient device relative to the access point is created and stored at theaccess point when the signal strength between the wireless client deviceand one or more receivers is measured and stored in response to amessage received from the wireless client device, wherein the messagecomprises an identification of the wireless client device and thedisplay device.
 16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further operable tocause one or more processors to perform the operations comprising:outputting a notification to a media device delivering content to thedisplay device, wherein the notification informs the media device thatthe first user is a potential viewer of the display device.
 17. The oneor more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein theinstructions are further operable to cause one or more processors toperform the operations comprising: outputting a notification to atargeted advertisement system, wherein the notification identifies thefirst user as a potential viewer of the display device.
 18. The one ormore non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein thenotification comprises profile information associated with the firstuser.
 19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 16, wherein the notification is output to the media device afterthe position of the wireless client device relative to the access pointhas been constant for a predetermined duration of time.
 20. The one ormore non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein theinstructions are further operable to cause one or more processors toperform the operations comprising: taking a subsequent measurement ofthe strength of a signal between the wireless client device and one ormore receivers; based upon the subsequent measurement of the strength ofthe signal between the wireless client device and the one or morereceivers, determining a current position of the wireless client devicerelative to the access point, wherein the current position of thewireless client device relative to the access point is not associatedwith the display device; and outputting a notification to the mediadevice, wherein the notification informs the media device that the firstuser is no longer a potential viewer of the display device.